I GUESS YOU'RE excited about the big vacation," my friend said as she carried her suitcases into my bedroom. "A family reunion on the Gulf of Mexico. You're going to have a great time."
I nodded, alarmed at how impressed I was at the sight of matching luggage on little wheels.
"Now, have you decided on your resort wear yet?" my friend asked.
Resort wear? Frankly I'm not sure I've ever actually said those words, much less made such a purchase.
"Don't forget, even though it's before Memorial Day, it's permissible to wear white shoes within the resort community," she advised.
I made a mental note to carry extra shoes in my purse in the event I strayed outside the perimeter of the "resort community."
"Now, let's peek at your wardrobe so we can determine what accessories we need to add that 'tropical' touch," she said, entering my closet.
She quickly exited, a puzzled look on her face.
"Have you already packed?" she asked.
No, that's the wardrobe. Six mix-'n'-match polyester pieces from Sears' Rubenesque Collection. I have clothes I wear to work and my pajamas. That pretty much covers it.
"Perhaps you can pick up some new pieces when you get down there," she said weakly. "Something in a natural fiber."
And white shoes. Lots of white shoes.
Bon voyage, Glen Burnie.
Marsha Frazier honored
Glen Burnie activist Marsha Frazier was honored with the Richard H. Carter Award for outstanding volunteer service at Sunday's Memorial Day parade.
Frazier, president of the North County Emergency Outreach Network (NCEON), was selected on the basis of years of volunteer service, leadership and unselfish acts. She was nominated by two individuals.
A volunteer since her teen years, Frazier views the work as a full-time commitment to the community. She became involved with NCEON through her volunteer work at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. By 1991 she was a board member and she has watched the grass-roots organization develop into an agency that helps more than 10,000 county residents each year with emergency food and referrals for other assistance.
Voluntarism is a family tradition for Frazier.
"It's something we've always done," she recalls. "My mother was a volunteer at the church. So was my dad. We went to Catholic school, and I remember my father driving the nuns in their habits to the grocery store or the train station."
Frazier and her husband, Don, carried on the tradition with their own children.
"I remember always having a van full of children during baseball season," she says. "Now my one daughter is a coach for my grandchild's team."
In addition to her work with NCEON, Frazier has volunteered at area schools and at the Big Glen Burnie Carnival.
Other nominees for this year's award were Kenneth Dunshee, Alexander Eremchuck, Dorothy Gentile, Jackie Hilling, Josephine Reeves, Jack Stephens and Dr. Edward Zimmerman.
VFW to sell poppies
Members of VFW Post 434 will be in local shopping centers this weekend, selling Buddy Poppies, a Memorial Day weekend tradition. Money raised from the sale is used to support a variety of programs for hospitalized veterans.
The veterans will be at at Lauer's Superthrift on Edwin Raynor Boulevard Friday and Saturday and at the Lauer's Superthrift on Fort Smallwood Road and Wal-mart on Crain Highway Saturday.
The post recently announced the election of these officers for the 1997-1998 term:
James Starr, commander; Joseph Corcoran Sr. vice commander; Robert Wheeler Jr., vice commander; Ray Watts, quartermaster; Leslie Ashwell, judge advocate; Albert Chitchlow, surgeon; Dillard Harris, chaplain; David Jarrell, William Robey, Sr. and Edward Linton, trustees and David Jarrell, adjutant.
Officers of the Ladies' Auxiliary are: Eleanora Rhode, president; Marjorie McNeese, senior vice president; Blanche Rey, Jr. vice president; Joan Vecchioni, secretary; Doris Moynihan, treasurer; Alice Sigman, chaplain; Katheryn Fischer, patriotic instructor and trustee; Alyse Ashwell, conductress; Estalene Harris, guard, and Sandra Watts, and Jeanette Kirby, trustees.
Graduate honored
As graduation nears, several local college students have been honored at their respective schools for academic achievements.
Tracey Vermette will graduate summa cum laude Friday from Towson State University with a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education. A member of the Educators Club, Vermette was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society.
Tracey, the daughter of Diane and David Vermette, is a member of Messiah United Methodist Church, where she teaches children's church and Sunday school.
After graduation, she will seek a teaching job in in Baltimore or Anne Arundel County while she works on a master's degree.
Outstanding seniors
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has announced a list of outstanding seniors from each of the 22 Catholic high schools in the Baltimore area. Three of the students, selected on the basis of their academic records, leadership and community involvement, are from Glen Burnie.
They are Julia Musiker, Seton Keough High School; Bridget Duvall, Institute of Notre Dame; and John Bova, Archbishop Spalding High School.
Spring bazaar
Mariner Health convalescent home, 7355 E. Furnace Branch Road, is holding a spring bazaar and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
There will be craft workers, games and other activities and refreshments. Proceeds will benefit the resident's activities programs.
For information call 410-766-3460.
Pub Date: 5/21/97
